“To be able to summon those nine true dragon phantoms and withstand a thunder tribulation of such magnitude, the formation must be at least Seventh Rank or higher. And judging from the lingering aura at the scene, the great power who set up the formation is likely connected to Zulong.”
“I just don’t know when exactly that great power laid down the formation, or why they chose to assist me in crossing the tribulation.”
Saying this, Tai Lingxuan raised her silver-white head slightly, her gaze drifting toward the window.
In her clear eyes, a hint of longing and gratitude surfaced.
“Master, did you forget something?”
Chen Yuyang softly reminded her, shaking his head quietly.
Tai Lingxuan was momentarily stunned, then realized she had forgotten to probe Chen Yuyang’s Pure Yang Origin.
“Look at my memory.”
Embarrassed, Tai Lingxuan smiled and stretched out her hand, placing it gently on the boy’s abdomen.
Her divine sense delved in.
This time, she checked thoroughly from every angle, inside and out, back and forth, finally confirming that Chen Yuyang’s Pure Yang Origin was intact before exhaling in relief.
“Luckily… luckily.”
With that, Tai Lingxuan slowly stood up, her eyes filled with comfort.
“I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave for now.”
She turned and hurriedly left.
Chen Yuyang exhaled deeply just moments ago.
But in truth, after leaving Chen Yuyang’s room, Tai Lingxuan also let out a breath.
She breathed out partly because Chen Yuyang’s origin was unharmed.
And partly because…
She could feel that just now, she had once again been stirred by that child’s presence.
She truly hadn’t restrained herself—she had teased him, tempted him…
But the boy’s will was firm enough to resist her influence, and she had quickly sobered up, then used the excuse of testing to sweep the matter under the rug.
What was happening to her?
Why now, whenever she saw Yuyang… his body, her control faltered…
Could it be a side effect of Yin energy backlash?
Tai Lingxuan was baffled, left with no other explanation.
It seemed she also needed to focus on cultivating her mind’s nature.
If Yuyang could resist her temptations, she had no reason to be weaker than a child.
Resolving this internally, once back, Tai Lingxuan sent a thought to the disciples within the sect, announcing her intention to enter seclusion for a month to consolidate her realm, emerging just before the Sect Assembly.
One month later.
Hehuan Sect, Alchemy Room.
Before the Third-Rank spirit artifact alchemy furnace, the black-haired, black-eyed youth stood solemnly, waving his hand to dismiss the outer sect disciples who had been tending the fire.
Beside him, Gu Qiushui nervously watched the youth, observing the furnace’s temperature gradually fade, its color returning to a golden-red bronze sheen.
“Alchemy furnace, junior brother…”
“Hehe, the cauldron…”
“Lecherous.”
Suddenly, Gu Qiushui blushed slightly, as if recalling something.
Chen Yuyang didn’t notice any of this; his attention was fully fixed on the batch of Foundation Establishment Pills in the furnace.
How many pills this batch yielded directly affected the capital Hehuan Sect would bring to the upcoming Sect Assembly.
In truth, even before opening the furnace, Chen Yuyang had a good estimate.
As soon as the furnace lid was opened, a misty alchemical fragrance immediately enveloped the entire room.
The outer sect disciples caught the scent and brightened, feeling refreshed.
Gu Qiushui also inhaled the pleasant aroma, surprise blossoming on her face.
“By the smell, the quality of these Foundation Establishment Pills seems quite good.”
Under the stimulation of spiritual energy, the formed pills began to float up from the furnace, one by one.
At the same time, the milky white jade bottles prepared earlier rose, carried by spiritual force, neatly corresponding to each pill and storing them.
When the last pill was sealed inside a jade bottle, the fragrant scent in the room gradually faded.
“Thirty-six Foundation Establishment Pills!”
Counting the jade bottles neatly arranged on the table, Gu Qiushui exclaimed with delight.
“To produce a full thirty-six high-quality Foundation Establishment Pills in one batch—Junior Brother Yuyang, you’re really impressive.”
Chen Yuyang smiled faintly, though he knew this was actually his “minimum standard.”
If he unleashed all his skill, this batch of medicinal materials could produce more than sixty pills.
But he deliberately restrained himself; otherwise, it would be too extraordinary, drawing too much attention.
Even so, the result was still outstanding.
For a normal Second-Rank alchemist, producing a dozen or two Foundation Establishment Pills per batch was already the limit.
“Truly worthy of Junior Brother Yuyang,” Gu Qiushui sighed sincerely, then quickly began calculating in her mind.
“Thirty-six high-quality Foundation Establishment Pills—if we reserve twelve for the sect’s outer disciples, the remainder would be worth five or six hundred top-grade spirit stones, or five to six hundred thousand lower-grade spirit stones.”
She couldn’t help but rub her hands excitedly, her eyes shining with the gleam of wealth.
“Even after deducting the cost of raw materials and the spirit stones consumed stabilizing the furnace, the profit still exceeds four hundred thousand.”
With such profits from mere Second-Rank Foundation Establishment Pills, the wealth-gathering ability of an alchemist was clear.
“Sister, you’re drooling,” Chen Yuyang teased lightly, then picked up one of the jade bottles.
“Also, tell Master I want to take one Foundation Establishment Pill.”
“These are all your handiwork. Don’t say one, even taking five wouldn’t be a problem… But you’ve already reached mid-Foundation Establishment. Why do you still need these pills?” Gu Qiushui asked curiously.
It was well-known that Foundation Establishment Pills only benefited Qi Refining stage cultivators.
For Chen Yuyang, who had already established his foundation, eating these pills would at most increase his spiritual energy limit slightly.
With the same investment, taking higher-grade pills or precious treasures would yield far greater improvements.
“In short, I have a use for it.”
Chen Yuyang didn’t explain further, secured the jade bottle, and left the alchemy room.
Watching his departing figure, Gu Qiushui narrowed her eyes, suspicion arising in her heart.
That pill wasn’t for himself.
If not for himself, then who?
All the other sisters and junior sisters were above Foundation Establishment.
Could it be…Junior Brother intended to give this pill to an outer sect disciple?
Who could it be?
Gu Qiushui’s heart immediately grew alert.
Having known Junior Brother for so many years, he had never given her anything.
Now, he might be giving something to a stranger…
The mere thought made Gu Qiushui feel uneasy.
Just then, a graceful, aloof figure appeared at the alchemy room door.
“Master, you’ve emerged from seclusion!”
Gu Qiushui was slightly surprised and quickly saluted.
Tai Lingxuan waved gently, her gaze calmly sweeping across the room.
“Where is Yuyang?”
“He left after collecting the pills,” Gu Qiushui answered truthfully.
“Oh.”
Tai Lingxuan nodded slightly, then asked, “How many Foundation Establishment Pills did this batch yield?”
“Thirty-six.”
“Sixteen would be pretty good,” Tai Lingxuan showed a look of satisfaction.
“Master, it’s thirty-six.”
Gu Qiushui blinked, repeating her answer.
“How many?”
“Thirty-six, no mistake.”
Gu Qiushui gestured toward the row of jade bottles.
“Of course, Junior Brother took one, saying he had a use for it, so there are thirty-five here.”
Tai Lingxuan’s pupils dilated slightly.
She quickly approached the table, casually picked up a jade bottle, and opened it to check.
Inside was a highest-quality Foundation Establishment Pill.
She opened another—identical quality.
“Yuyang… is really amazing.”
“Could it be that he has actually reached Third-Rank alchemist level? Otherwise, how to explain producing such a quantity and quality of pills in one batch?”
Tai Lingxuan murmured, full of admiration and praise.
That child always managed to surprise her.
Taking a deep breath, Tai Lingxuan then asked:
“How many outer sect disciples have reached Qi Refining Completion?”
“Two.”
“Good. Take two pills to distribute to them. The rest will be used to exchange for the Ziyang treasures needed at this Sect Assembly.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Also, I have consolidated my realm. For this Sect Assembly, I plan to secure two, maybe even three spots to enter the Ziyang Secret Realm. Therefore, I intend to bring you, Lingxi, and Yuyang.”
“I want you and Lingxi to go. If three spots are obtained, you will all go together.”
Hearing this, Gu Qiushui’s heart leapt with joy.
If given a choice, naturally, the Ziyang Secret Realm was far better than the Qiang Wilderness Secret Realm.
The Ziyang Secret Realm was less dangerous, rich in spiritual energy, and abundant in precious treasures.
Its only drawback was that it opened once every three years and only cultivators below Nascent Soul stage could enter, with no more than five hundred entrants allowed.
The Qiang Wilderness Secret Realm, however, could be entered anytime without restrictions on level or number.
But…“Master, if only two spots are granted, please let Yuyang and Lingxi go.”
“…”
Tai Lingxuan was taken aback, not expecting Gu Qiushui to willingly give up the spot she reserved.
“As senior sister, how could I compete with junior brothers and sisters for such an opportunity? Although the Qiang Wilderness Secret Realm is dangerous, I have reached the pinnacle of Golden Core and have Han Jiangling’s protection. If trouble arises, I’m confident I can protect myself.”
Gu Qiushui lifted her chin and spoke seriously.
Hearing this, Tai Lingxuan nodded gently.
“Very well. Since you wish it so, I will not force you… Go inform Junior Brother Yuyang. The Sect Assembly will convene in about ten days.”
“We will set off within these two days.”
“Yes, Master!”
Gu Qiushui responded briskly, her heart filled with anticipation.
Back in his room.
Chen Yuyang immediately took out the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Naturally, he had no intention of consuming it himself.
This pill was for experimentation.
He removed the pill.
A wisp of colorless, silent, space-warping Primordial Flame appeared in the boy’s palm.
The Primordial Flame possessed the power to refine all things.
Chen Yuyang wanted to see whether the pill’s final effect could be further enhanced after being tempered by the Primordial Flame—and if so, by how much.
Although his Subtle Consciousness Sea held many finished pills,
those were all Sixth-Rank or above, highly valuable, each requiring much time and effort, and Chen Yuyang was unwilling to waste them.
The Foundation Establishment Pill was just right: low rank, no big loss if ruined, and the pill’s quality was obvious at a glance.
Palms pressed together.
Under Chen Yuyang’s control, the Primordial Flame began to envelop the purple-black Foundation Establishment Pill.